Warning Issued On Bogus Refunds

February 11, 1992

Business and consumer officials in New York and Arizona are warning people not to respond to a letter that says they may be entitled to unclaimed money in the New York state treasury.

They say the company, Clarke, Winston & Hayes of Phoenix, sent thousands of letters to people in Connecticut and elsewhere, telling them they may be eligible for a refund from New York. Recipients were encouraged to dial a 900-prefix number, for which they would be charged $4.95 a minute.

However, a report by the Better Business Bureau in Phoenix says it is "extremely unlikely that consumers will actually be entitled to any money."

The report said callers are put on hold, given vague information and eventually told to call the New York state treasurer's office. "The bureau advises extreme caution to anybody responding to this company's offer," the report says.

Officials of American Telephone & Telegraph Co. said they have shut down 18 900-numbers being used by the company. However, they said, the company still may be operating on other 900 numbers provided by AT&T or another carrier.

An AT&T spokeswoman, Susan E. Ramsey, said those who responded to the notice will not be charged for the call if they complain to AT&T. To file a complaint, she said, customers should call the toll-free, 800-number on the AT&T portion of their telephone bill.